The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Wednesday revealed how its operatives, working alongside the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and international partners, tracked two containers carrying 6,778.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud across multiple continents before intercepting them at the Apapa Port in Lagos.

The agency, which formally took custody of the seized consignment during a handover ceremony at the port, described the operation as a major intelligence breakthrough and one of the country's biggest drug interceptions.

Months-long intelligence operation

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by the agency's Director of Seaport Operations, ACGN Ibinabo Archie-Abia, said the operation followed months of intelligence gathering involving the NDLEA Special Investigation Unit, the NDLEA Marine Intelligence Unit, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, and the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to him, international drug trafficking syndicates adopted complex maritime routes across different continents in a bid to beat security surveillance, but intelligence-driven operations by the collaborating agencies ensured the shipments were intercepted before reaching their intended destinations.

Through two major seizures recorded on 15th and 24th June 2026, we send a clear and unequivocal message that we are more determined than ever to dismantle organised criminal syndicates and drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond our borders,

— Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA

Route of the first container

Marwa said the first container, identified as CAAU 7569127, departed Toronto, Canada, on April 16, 2026, before being transported by rail to Montreal, where it was loaded onto the vessel Ghallow Express.

The shipment later arrived at Tangier Med, Morocco, on May 6 and was trans-shipped onto the Spartel Trader, which berthed at Tin Can Island Port on May 27.

He explained that the container was subsequently moved to the Global Bonded Terminal before being transferred by water to Apapa Port on June 10, where operatives of the NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies intercepted it during a joint examination.

Movement of the second container

The second container, HAMU 3246311, departed Montreal on May 1 aboard the vessel Africa Express before being trans-shipped onto the Algeciras Express on May 15, according to Marwa.

He said that after discharge on June 4, 2026, it was moved to Apapa Port on June 22, 2026, where officers were waiting.

Following discharge on 4th June 2026, it was moved to Apapa Port on 22nd June 2026, where it fell into the hands of our waiting officers,

— Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA

Agency vows further action

Marwa described the seizures as a major blow to transnational drug trafficking networks, saying the agency would not stop at confiscating illicit drugs but would also pursue those behind the criminal enterprise and seize their assets.

He said the profits from illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against the nation, despite the damage they inflict on individuals, families and communities.

>> "We recognise that the staggering profits generated by illicit drug trafficking continue to fuel crimes against humanity and against our nation, despite the devastating toll they take on individuals, families and communities.

As such, we remain resolute. Our work does not end with seizure. We are committed to identifying, arresting and prosecuting those responsible, to confiscating their criminal assets, and to ensuring that they derive no benefit whatsoever from their illegal enterprise," - Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA

He attributed the success of the operation to collaboration among domestic and international law enforcement agencies and commended officers and men of the NDLEA, the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies for their commitment.

This success was made possible by the intelligence-sharing and operational synergy displayed by every participating agency. It is a powerful demonstration of what inter-agency collaboration, international cooperation and intelligence-driven operations can achieve in the fight against transnational organised crime and illicit drug trafficking,

— Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NDLEA